The Man-drobe: Building the Ultimate Closet.

As the Wallabies devastating loss to the British and Irish Lions over the weekend established, there are some things in life which are sadly, beyond our control. The lasting impression we potentially leave in a chance encounter is however, not one of these things. Being introduced to a potential employer, meeting that new mate with season tickets or just a stranger in the street, all these situations provide the opportunity to influence and impress. Mad Men Style (below) While, we all know how important first impressions can be, Forbes.com goes further to outline: “The moment that stranger sees you, his or her brain makes a thousand computations: Are you someone to approach or to avoid? Are you friend or foe? Do you have status and authority? Are you trustworthy, competent, likeable, and confident?” While this statement may encourage a chorus of image crusaders to protest, the sad truth is, presenting a impressive exterior is paramount to getting to the next stage which allows the individual to dazzle with their persona. Even former FBI counter intelligence agent Joe Navarro blogs expansively on the power of presentation. Researchers from NYU found that we make eleven major decisions about one another in the first seven seconds of meeting. These decisions are based almost entirely on visual impressions alone, therefore, taking your man-drobe seriously, is essential. First Step: The Clean out. If you read the above line and immediately had an inner panic attack, don’t stress. This process is less of a clean out and more of a culling of no longer essential items, like for example, that much-loved band shirt bought in your teens, which no longer resembles an item of clothing, or those ruggers from your rugby days, so stained their original color has long been forgotten. To ensure you have a grasp on your man-drobe essentials, you must first see what you already own. Be ruthless, lay out your items on a bed or any area which allows you to take a step back and look at them, and then cull any items you haven’t worn in over two years. Separate the items you use religiously, and decide if they are due for a dry clean, or perhaps an upgrade. Any styles that you find yourself wearing over and over, look into purchasing similar styles and building up a collection of “go-to” outfits, which you know look impressive and most importantly, you feel comfortable in. Second Step: The Essentials. The next step once you have edited down your current , now is the time to step back and see what you really need. There will always be space for those ultimate comfy pants (the ones your partner keeps trying to mysteriously throw away), but in order to found a Man-drobe full of impression leaving outfits, there needs to be room for the essentials. The Top Five: 1) A Navy Sports coat Effortless, and timeless, this will take you through the years and is versatile enough to go with almost any outfit. 2) The Classic White Dress Shirt Generally reserved for special occasions, a classic white dress shirt will ensure you are never caught under dressed, but don't be afraid to pull this one out on the weekends: paired with cargo shorts, this makes for a classic and effortless impression. 3) The Everyday Shoe These shoes can and have literally be worn with everything. They are comfy enough to support you through most social occasions and after they have been molded to your individual foot, guarantee you will find yourself making excuses to wear these babies. 4) Khaki Chinos The backbone of any mans modern wardrobe, chinos make a fine alternative to jeans and offer a more versatile look that can be adjusted to meet the requirements of any occasion in virtually any climate. Lightweight and stylish, they can be matched with a simple t-shirt in summer or a matching jumper in winter. 5) A Simple Tie Not too wide or too short, and in a classic color scheme. For big and tall men, it is essential to get a tie which is of the correct length and width, as incorrect measurements will be obvious. Ron Bennett Big Mens Clothing has a great selection to choose from. Any one of these items will find themselves on high rotation in any Man-drobe, with preparing for any occasion becoming a pleasure rather than a stressful stand off with an over cluttered closet. Blog Writing by Alexandra Jones Best
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